Neil Callan

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Neil Callan (born 1978) is a multiple Group 1-winning Irish jockey who has divided his career between Britain and Hong Kong.

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Racing career

Callan, who originates from County Kildare, was an apprentice in the yard of trainer Kevin Prendergast on the The Curragh before moving to England in 1998. [1] He established an association with trainers such as Karl Burke, Kevin Ryan and Michael Jarvis, and became champion apprentice with 56 winners in 1999. [1] [2]

He achieved his first Group win in July 2004 on Astrocharm in the Group 3 Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood. In September 2005, Amadeus Wolf, trained by Ryan, provided him with his first Group 1 success when winning the Middle Park Stakes on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket. [2] That season he rode 151 winners and was runner-up in the jockeys' championship. He was again runner-up in 2007, his most successful year with 170 winners. [3] [2]

From 2010, Callan spent several seasons riding in Hong Kong in the European off-season, before making it his base with his family in 2014 and riding as a retained rider to the Hong Kong Jockey Club. [4] A successful decade in Hong Kong included a number of big race victories. [1] Blazing Speed, trained by Tony Cruz, provided him with wins in the 2014 and 2016 Group 1 Champions and Chater Cup, the 2014 Group 2 Jockey Club Cup, and the 2015 Queen Elizabeth II Cup. [2] In April 2021, Callan was banned until the end of the Hong Kong season in July for having been disrespectful to stewards at Happy Valley Racecourse. The suspension was reduced on appeal, allowing him to return to racing at the end of May. [5] It was his last season riding in Hong Kong; he returned to England at the conclusion of the season, citing family reasons. [6] He had won 283 races and over £37 million in prize money in 4,000 rides in Hong Kong. [6] [7]

On 1 October 2022, Callan had his first Group 1 win since returning to England, riding 16-1 chance Fonteyn, trained by Ryan, in the Sun Chariot Stakes. [8] At Royal Ascot in 2023, Callan and Ryan again teamed up to land a Group 1 race with an unfancied runner, when Triple Time won the Queen Anne Stakes. [2] He had a second winner at the meeting with 20-1 chance Burdett Road, trained by Michael Bell, in the Golden Gates Stakes handicap. [9]

In March 2025, Callan received an eight-month suspension for inappropriate use of social media, including posts that were disrespectful to British Horseracing Authority (BHA) officials or prejudicial to British horseracing. The ban was suspended for two years, which meant that he could continue to ride in races. [10] On 12 July 2025, Callan won the Group 1 July Cup on the July Course at Newmarket on 66-1 outsider, No Half Measures, the biggest-priced runner to win the race. It was the first Group 1 success for Richard Hughes as a trainer. [11] After the race Callan said: "Last year was a bit of a struggle and this year's been a bit of a struggle, but you just wait for that one horse". [12]

Personal life

Callan is married to Trish, the granddaughter of Newmarket trainer David Ringer. [13] The couple have three sons. [1] Eldest son, Jack, started riding as an amateur jockey aged sixteen in 2023 and then became a licensed apprentice. [14] [15]

Major wins

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain

Flag of Germany.svg Germany

Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong

Flag of Italy.svg Italy

Performance at the Hong Kong Jockey Club

SeasonsTotal RidesNo. of WinsNo. of 2ndsNo. of 3rdsNo. of 4thsStakes won
2010/201112151075HK$6,545,700
2013/201441227364337HK$38,526,375
2014/201552047454944HK$66,847,491
2015/201651040404542HK$57,645,225
2016/201754147514842HK$59,383,150
2017/201842325333934HK$36,670,300
2018/201942817394335HK$31,004,950
2019/202048126404058HK$42,185,220
2020/202141628303832HK$38,101,250

[ citation needed ]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "From the Curragh to Hong Kong - Kildare jockey Neil Callan's incredible story". Kildare Now. 25 February 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Neil Callan". Racing Post. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  3. ↑ "Neil Callan back for Ebor Festival at York ahead of Hong Kong return". Sky Sports. 2 August 2016.
  4. ↑ "Why life is good for the rider who gave up a flourishing career in Britain for Hong Kong". Thoroughbred Racing Commentary. 8 January 2015.
  5. ↑ "Neil Callan free to ride next month after Hong Kong suspension is cut on appeal". Racing Post. 29 April 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Neil Callan to return to Britain after final rides in Hong Kong on Wednesday". Racing Post. 13 July 2021.
  7. ↑ "Hong Kong: Callan heads home with a final success". The Irish Field. 16 July 2021.
  8. ↑ "Back with a bang: old allies Callan and Ryan land Sun Chariot with Fonteyn". Racing Post. 1 October 2022.
  9. ↑ "No fairytale Royal Ascot farewell for Frankie Dettori as Burdett Road lands the Golden Gates". Racing Post. 24 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "Neil Callan receives eight-month suspended ban for social media breaches". Sky Sports. 24 March 2025.
  11. ↑ "No Half Measures springs 66-1 July Cup shock". Sky Sports. 12 July 2025.
  12. ↑ "No Half Measures 66-1 winner of July Cup at Newmarket". BBC Sport. 12 July 2025.
  13. ↑ "Callan Enjoying The Green Grass Of Home – And Bahrain". Thoroughbred Daily News. 8 December 2021.
  14. ↑ "'It's the race you want to win' - Neil Callan's 16-year-old son dreaming of Amateur Derby glory at Epsom". Racing Post. 27 August 2023.
  15. ↑ "Jack Callan". Racing Post. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
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